The Downe Township Environmental Commission was established by Township Ordinance in 2012 as one of the first local commissions in Downe Township.

The Downe Township Environmental Commission was created

For the purpose and function of evaluating environmental conditions and resources within the Township of Downe and to advise and make recommendations to the Township Committee, Combined Planning and Zoning Board and other Township organizations and bodies for the protection, development and use of environmental resources within the Township pursuant to State Statute.

The Downe Township Environmental Commission was established by Township Ordinance in 2012 as one of the first local commissions in Downe Township.

The Downe Township Environmental Commission was created for the purpose and function of evaluating environmental conditions and resources within the Township of Downe and to advise and make recommendations to the Township Committee, Combined Planning and Zoning Board and other Township organizations and bodies for the protection, development and use of environmental resources within the Township pursuant to State Statute.

Membership: The Commission is an advisory body composed of five (5) volunteer Downe Township citizens appointed by the Mayor. One member will be selected from the Downe Township Combined Planning and Zoning Board. All members are required to be residents of Downe Township and shall serve without compensation except as may be provided by State Law. The Mayor will designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Commission

The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Commission.

Terms – The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be for one, two or three years to be designated by the Mayor in the making of his or her appointment so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members shall expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors.

Membership Removal – The Mayor and governing body of the Municipality may remove any member of the commission for cause, on written charges serves upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.

Vacancy – A vacancy on the commission occurring otherwise then by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment. Vacancies on the commission occurring by whatever means, the powers of appointment and removal hereby accorded to the Mayor of a Municipality shall be vested in the elected official so designed or, where there is a vacancy in the Office of the Mayor, and the duly designated acting Mayor.

Alternates – The Commission shall consist of two (2) alternate members to be appointed by the Mayor, all of whom shall be residents of the Municipality, and alternate members shall serve without compensation except as may be provided by State Law. Alternates shall be referred to as Alternate 1 and 2 whose terms shall be one (1) year and alternates shall vote only in the event of an absence by a regular member.

Powers – The Environmental Commission shall have all the powers, responsibilities and duties as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1, et seq. including the power to conduct studies and make recommendations to the Township Planning and Zoning Board and to the governing body regarding open space preservation, water resource management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection of flora and fauna, and advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets which in the judgment of the commission is deems necessary for its purposes. The commission shall further create and maintain an index of all open areas, publically or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas, and may from time to time recommend to the Planning and Zoning Board or, if none, to the Mayor and governing body of the Municipality plans and programs for inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.

Records and Annual Reports – The Environmental Commission shall create and maintain a record of its meetings and activities and shall make an Annual Report to the governing body of the Municipality pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-4, et seq

Interested in becoming a member of the Downe Township Environmental Commission?